Liverpool City Council is delighted to share an update on the progress of its plans to improve the lives of unpaid carers, as it recognises and celebrates Carers Week (8th–14th June).
In January, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet approved the All-Age Carers Strategy 2025 – 2030, reinforcing a clear commitment to strengthening how carers are valued and supported across the city.
Around 1 in 10 Liverpool residents, more than 44,000 people, provide unpaid care. Many deliver significant levels of support each week, often alongside employment, school or other responsibilities.
Liverpool also faces wider challenges linked to deprivation and poor health, which place increasing pressure on carers and services.
The strategy represents an important step forward, in highlighting the vital role unpaid carers play while setting out the need for more consistent, joined up and effective support.
Key areas of focus include:
- Raising awareness of unpaid carers and improving identification
- Ensuring carers are recognised, respected and valued
- Improving access to information, advice and support services
- Involving carers in decisions that affect them
- Supporting carers’ health, wellbeing and independence
- Strengthening partnership working across organisations
- Improving support for young carers and those with more complex needs
A significant development following the launch of the strategy has been the establishment of the Carers Partnership Board.
Bringing together organisations from across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector, alongside carers themselves, the board plays a key role in driving progress and ensuring delivery remains focused on shared priorities.
The board has already met and begun implementing the action plan, reflecting positive progress in turning strategic commitments into tangible improvements.
Looking ahead, the Council is preparing for the recommissioning of carers’ services, which will be central to delivering the strategy’s priorities. This will provide an opportunity to shape services so they are more accessible, joined up and responsive to the needs of carers across Liverpool.
Ava, 18, is a young adult carer and a passionate advocate for ensuring young carers’ voices are heard.
She said: “Being a young carer for my mum has come with its challenges, like balancing looking after her while keeping up with schoolwork, but it’s also shaped who I am in positive ways. It’s made me more confident, independent, and able to handle responsibilities that many young people aren’t usually expected to do.
“I think young carers should be listened to more, because we understand what’s best for ourselves and for the people we care for. I’ve worked with organisations such as the Council and Alder Hey Hospital to make sure young people’s voices are heard and help improve services. More organisations should involve carers in decision-making in this way.
“I also think people need to remember how much carers do and make sure that they are supported and considered in schools or in work.”
WATCH: Ava’s story
Cllr Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers make an incredible contribution to our city, often balancing complex responsibilities alongside their own lives. The All-Age Carers Strategy sets out our commitment to improving the support available and ensuring carers are recognised and valued.”
“It is really encouraging to see the Carers Partnership Board already taking forward the action plan, and we will continue working together to deliver improvements.”
Anne Marie Lubanski, Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Adult Care and Health, said: “This work has been co-produced with carers, alongside professionals and local organisations, and reflects a strong commitment to listening to lived experiences and taking the right steps to drive real change.
“It is really encouraging to see that we are already making progress through the establishment of the Carers Partnership Board, which will play a key role in driving the action plan forward ensuring carers are acknowledged, respected and involved in decisions that affect them.”
